There are many changes in the mother’s body during second trimester of pregnancy to accomodate for her growing baby, and for many mothers this is the most comfortable stage in their pregnancy.  The second trimester runs from 14 weeks to 28 weeks gestation.  Some of the exciting changes that happen include the appearance of a ‘baby bump’ as the uterus grows and feeling the baby move at around 16 – 20 weeks gestation.

Body changes

Body changes mothers may experience include:

• less of a need to urinate
• whitish vaginal discharge (thrush)
• an increase in appetite
• constipation
• back ache
• leg cramps
• Braxton Hicks contractions
• a stuffy nose (nasal congestion) or nose bleeds
• an increase in energy or tiredness

Braxton Hicks contractions are intermittant painless contractions of the uterus that begin during the second trimester.  They can happen every 10 – 20 minutes.  This is the uterus practising its muscular contractions to get ready for the stonger contractions that it will have during labour.

Postural changes

Towards the end of the second trimester the rotation of the pelvis may become a little more anterior (toward the front) and result in the curves of the spine rebalancing themselves and changing pressure and tension on surrounding areas.  The curve in the lower (lumbar) spine can increase and this can cause more pressure on the abdominal muscles that are already feeling pressure from the uterus.  This strain may be felt along the edge of the ribs and also at the front of the pelvic bones (the pubic symphysis). 

The curve in the middle part of the spine (thoracic) also increases in most mothers and this in combination with increased weight of the breasts may lead to pain or stiffness in the middle of the back or at the base of the neck.

As the weeks go by the abdomen starts to enlarge out to the sides in order to allow some room for the organs such as the stomach, liver, and intestines.  The lower ribs and the muscles attached to them also move outwards to try to make room for the organs, as the uterus continues to expand forwards and upwards.  This may result in indigestion or heartburn that can be helped by eating smaller meals.

Baby changes

By now the growing baby has all of its organs and systems developed and will grow bigger in size and weight during the second trimester.  Around 16 – 20 weeks the mother will start to notice her baby moving.  The developing baby moves around a lot as it starts to practice the movements it will make when it enters the world outside the uterus.

By around 22 weeks gestation the baby can hear sounds from within your body and from outside the uterus.  Familiar voices and songs that seem to soothe your developing baby now will probably be calming after birth.

By the end of the second trimester your baby will have grown to around 26 cm long and weigh around 1 kg.

Feeling pain?

If you are feeling pain or discomfort during your pregnancy, osteopathic treatment may be of benefit.  Osteopathic treatment is gentle and safe throughout pregnancy, and may help the body to adapt to the changes that are occurring in the musculoskeletal system, so that you can feel more comfortable.

Keep an eye out for the next post in this series, the “Body changes during the third trimester of pregnancy”.

You may also be interested in “Body changes During the 1st Trimester of pregnancy” or "Body changes During the 3rd Trimester of pregnancy

This articles was written by Dr. Alison Neilson B.App.Sc. (Comp.Med.), M.Ost. of Renew Osteopathy, Mornington

If you are interested to learn more about Osteopathy read Alison's article in our Practitioner Profile section - Osteopathy

References

Stone C. Visceral and Obstetric Osteopathy. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier, 2007. Ch 10.

Bullock JE, Jull GA, Bullock MI. The Relationship of Low Back Pain to Postural Changes During Pregnancy. The Australian Journal of Physiotherapy. 1987;33(1):10-17.

Moore K, Dumas GA, Reid JG. Postural changes associated with pregnancy and their relationship with low-back pain. Clinical Biomechanics 1990;3:169-174.

Stoppard M. Conception, pregnancy and birth. Victoria: Dorling Kindersley, 2002.